Mothproofing



Patented Jan. 8, 1946 6 UNITED STATES PATENT 2,392,133 orncs MOTHPROOFING No Drawing. Application June 27, 1940, Serial No. 342,094

26 Claims.

This invention relates to -inothprooilng and is particularly directed to methods and compositions for preserving keratinous textiles and like fabrics against attack by clothes mothsand their allies in which the essential active preservative or proofing ingredient is a nuclear chlorinated benzyl phenyl ether having a molecular weight less than 360, preferably in the order of 300115.

The depredations of the common clothes moths and their allies, the carpet beetles, are common knowledge and many methods of control are advocated, among which may be mentioned contact spraying, fumigation and mothprooflng. Each of these methods has its own peculiarities and problems of which the most difhcult are probably encountered in mothprooflng, for it is one thing to kill the moth larvae but quite another to proof the textile against their depredations. Rarely are known insect poisons effective for mothproofing, and few if any of the mothproofling agents are entirely satisfactory, whether it be because of color, odor, low toxicity, high volatility, instability to air, light or heat, or because of some other undesirable characteristic. For example, some agents deleteriously affect the feel of the treated goods, others do not act sufliciently rapidly to prevent all feeding, and others do not have suitable chemical and physical properties for economic application, as for example in dry-cleaning solvents.

It has now been found that certain of the chicrinated benzyl phenyl ethers are so highly toxic to moth larvae that suitably treated fabrics are rendered immune to attack and at the same time possess such desirable and necessary characteristics as good solubility in dry-cleaning solvents, lack of color, lack of odor, and stability to air, light and moderate heat, and, moreover, leave the color, feel and other characters of the goods treated entirely unaffected.

The actiye agents of our mothprooflng compositions and methods are the nuclear chlorinated benzyl phenyl ethers which do not have a molecular weight in excess of 360 and preferably which have a molecular weight in the neighborhood of 300. Suitable materials include 2,4,6-trichlorobenzyl phenyl ether, 2,4-dichlorobenzyl phenyl ether, 2-chlorobenzyl phenyl ether, 2,4.6-trichlorobenzyl o-tolyl ether, benz'yl 2.4,5-trichlorophenyl ether, benzyl 2,4,6 trichlorophenyl ether, i-chlorobenzyl phenyl ether, 2,4,6-trichlorobenzyl z-acetylphenyl ether, 2,4,6-trichlorobenzyl 4-tertiary-amylphenyl ether, and 2,4.6- trichlorobenzyl beta-naphthyl ether. It will of course be understood that the exact position of the chlorine atoms in some instances is not definitely known, and that those given are based upon the best evidence available. It does not appear, however, that the exact position of the chlorine atoms is critical, although it pure trichlorobenzyl phenyl ether.

is believed that chlorine is more effective in the 2-(or 6-) position. The more highly chlorinated ethers, such as the trichloroand particularly the trichlorobenzyl ethers of molecular weight not substantially in excess of 315, are preferred.

Many of the chlorinated benzyl phenyl ethers of this invention have not been known before, and illustrative methods for their preparation are given in the following examples in which the parts are by weight unless otherwise specified,

Example 1 from the filtrate, and the residue poured into a solution of 5 parts of sodium hydroxide in 500 parts of water. After separating the oily product from the water and drying, 106 parts (92.2% of theoretical) of crude trichlorobenzyl ether is obtained. Upon distilling, the major fraction boils at 194-195 C./'l mm. This consists essentially 0 Example 2 A mixture consisting of 12.6 parts of flake sodium hydroxide, parts of absolute alcohol, and 28.2 parts of phenol is charged into a reactor equipped with a reflux condenser and sealed agitator, and refluxed with stirring for one hour. At the end of this time 69 parts of trichlorobenzyl chloride (boiling point 97-103 C./2 mm., and containing by analysis 60.8% chlorine) is added during the space of hour. After 16 hours of refluxing with stirring the mixture is cooled. The precipitated sodium chloride is illtered off and washed with ether. The alcoholether combined filtrate is then evaporated and the product fractionally distilled under reduced pressure. Fifty-nine and five-tenths parts of pure trichlorobenzyl phenyl ether distilling at 1'71-6/2 mm. is obtained. This product contains by analysis 36.22% chlorine and has a refractive index of Na 1.6051.

Example 3 The procedure of Example 2 may be modified to the extent that 6.9 parts of sodium is used in place of the sodium hydroxide, and the reaction mixture is refluxed only one hour after the addition of the trichlorobenzyl chloride. By this method approximately the same yield of the pure ether is obtained.

Example .1

precipitates. The product is isolated in the mannerdescribed in Example 2. The main fraction 177" C./2 mm.

Example 5 A mixture consisting of 42 parts 01' anhydrouspotassium carbonate, 60 parts of anhydrous acetone, Z 8.2 parts of phenol, and 69 parts of redistilied trichlorobenzyl chloride is stirred at room temperature for minutes and then refluxed in a steam-jacketed reactor for '7 hours. The prodnot is visolated and purified by the procedure of Example 2 above, the main fraction consisting of an oil boiling at 175-1730. [2 mm. Fifty-six parts of the pure trichlorobenzyl' phenyl ether is obtained.

Using procedures similar to those of the above examples, particularly Example 2, dichlorobenzyl, tetrachlorobenzyl, and pentachlorobenzyl phenyl ethers may be prepared. In each case substantially equimolecular proportions of the chlorobenzyl chloride, caustic alkali, and phenol are used; Example 6 is illustrative of the manner in which these other chlorobenzyl phenyl ethers are obtained.

1 Example 6 The procedure of Example 2 is repeated using the following materials: 29.6 parts of 95% flake sodium hydroxide; 240 parts of absolute ethanol; 66 parts of phenol; and 137 parts of dichlorobenzyl chloride of boilingrange 118-122 C./ mm.

The product, dichlorobenzyl phenyl ether, is obtained in the amount of 130 parts. It distills at 115-116 C/1.5 mm., contains 27.99% chlorine by analysis, and has a refractive index of Na" 1.5933.

Other chlorinated benzyl phenyl ethers may be prepared by similar condensations from the chlorinated phenols and benzyl chloride.

The effectiveness of the chlorinated benzyl phenyl ethers of this invention is determined by standardized and rigorous tests in which test specimens of flufly woolen fabrics, which were impregnated with the chlorinated benzyl phenyl ether from a solution of the ether in acetone and dried, are exposed to moth larvae for a period of two weeks under conditions in which untreated check specimens are damaged to an extent of 50 to 90% and not more than 10% of the larvae die. Data from these tests are given in the following table:

.consists of 31.5 parts of an oil boiling at 158-.

the

Additional tests [similar to the above show that the chlorinated benzyl phenyl ethers are effective for mothprooflng against the black carpet beetle (Attagenus piceus). This pest is more diiflcult to control than the common clothes moth. Nevertheless, the test fabric was well protected by trichlorobenzyl phenyl ether, as shown by the following table:

Table IL-Evaluatlon o! trichlorobenzul phenyl ether against clothes moth and carpet beetle larvae 1 The iirst figure given is the per cent mortality, while the second is r cent of surface area damaged.

! his figure represents the concentration of the aqueous impregnoting solution. As the sodium aluminum fluodlicate tends to be selectively adsorbed from solution, it is estimated that the actual concentration in the fabric is in the neighborhood of 1 or 2 per cent From the above data the high eillciency of trichlorobeuzyl phenyl ether in controlling clothes moths and carpet beetles, the most common and economically important textile insects, is readily seen. The higher effectiveness of the more highly chlorinated ethers is also readily seen. It is likely that relative volatility may be a factor, but it is by no means to be inferred that the lower the volatility the greater the effectiveness because some of the more highly chlorinated compounds, such as trichlorcbenzyl tri'-.

chlorophenyl ether, give results which are not significantly better than those of untreatedcontrols. 1

Typical of the class are the properties of trichlorobenzyl phenyl ether. Others of the class, however, do not possess all the desirable characteristics for mothprooflng agents characteristic of trichlorobenzyl phenyl ether. ness of trichlorobenzyl phenyl ether has already been shown. Further advantages that enhance the value of this newly discovered mothprooflng agent include the following: It is a relatively cheap product, easily prepared from readily obtainable raw materials. It is a liquidpossessing only very slight odor and color, and it is very soluble in the usual dry-cleaning solvents such as Stoddard solvent, naphtha, Per-Clene and Tri-Clene." The material is stable to light and heat, and at ordinary temperatures possesses only a negligible vapor pressure. The compound is essentially non-toxic to the .higher animals and, moreover, is non-irritating to the epidermis and mucous membranes. Finally, it produces no effect whatsoever upon the color of dye fabrics and produces no change in the durability and feel of delicate fabrics.

The mothprooflng agents of this invention may be used for treating and preserving woolen textiles, hair goods, furs and other materials subject to the depredations of moths, carpet beetles and other insect pests that prey upon and destroy such goods. For these-purposes they may be applied in various compositions, as for example, as solutions in organic solvents such as acetone, alcohol, and the usual dry-cleaning solvents, or in emulsified form along with various dispersants such as soaps, wetting agents. pene- The effective- I 1. An article of commerce prepared and pack aged asa mothprooflng composition containing as an essential active ingredient a benzyl phenyl ether having at least one nuclear chlorine substituent in the benzyl group and a molecular weightless than about 360. v

2. An article of commerce prepared and packaged as a mothprooflng composition containing as an essential active ingredient a benzyl phenyl ether having at least one nuclear chlorine sub- Mothproofing compositions conas an essential active ingredient a benzyl phenyl ether having three nuclear chlorine substituents in one 01' the benzene rings and a molecular weight less than about .360.

12. The method of protecting textiles and like goods from attack by clothes moths, carpet beetles and their allies which comprises impregnating the goods with a benzyl phenyl ether havingthree nuclear chlorine substituents in one of the benzene rings and a molecular weight less than about360.

13. An article oi commerce prepared and packaged as a mothprooilng composition containing as an essential active ingredient a benzyl phenyl ether having three nuclear chlorine substituents v in one of the benzene groups and a molecular weight less than about 315.

14. The method of protecting textiles and like goods from attack by. clothes moths, carpet beetles and their allies which comprises impregnating the goodswitha benzyl phenyl ether havstituent in the benzyl group and a molecular weight of 300- +-15.

3. .An article 01' commerce prepared and packaged as a mothprooflng composition containing ing threenuclear chlorine substituents in one of the benzene groups and a molecular weight less than about 315.

15. An article of commerce prepared and packaged as a mothprooilng composition containing as an essential active ingredient 2, 4, 6 trichlorobenzyl phenyl ether.

4. The method of protecting textiles and like goods from attack by clothes moths, carpet beetles and their allies which comprises impregnating the goods with a benzyl phenyl ether having at least one nuclear chlorine substituent in the benzyl group and a molecular weight less than about 360 from solution in a volatile solvent.

5. The method of protecting textiles and like goods from attack by clothes moths, carpet beetles and their allies which comprises impregnating the goods with a benzyl phenyl ether having at least one nuclear chlorine substituent in the benzyl group and a molecular weight of- 300115 from solution in a volatile solvent.

6. The method of protecting textiles and like cleaning composition containing as an active mothproofing ingredient a benzyl phenyl ether having a molecular weight less than about 360 and having at least two nuclear chlorine substituents.

8. The method of protecting textiles and like goods from attack by clothes moths, carpet beetles and their allies. which comprises impreghating the goods with a benzyl phenyl ether having a molecular weight less than about 360 and having at least two nuclear chlorine substituents 'from solution in' a volatile solvent.

9. An article of commerce consisting in a drycleaning composition containing as an active mothprooflng ingredient a benzyl phenyl ether having a molecular weight of 300 plus or minus 15 and having at least two nuclear chlorine sub-' as an essential active ingredient a benzyl phenyl ether having three nuclear chlorine substituents in the benzyl group and a molecular weight less than about 860.

16. The method of protecting textiles and like goods from attack by clothes moths, carpet.

beetles and their allies which comprises impregnating the goods with a benzyl phenyl ether having three nuclear chlorine substituents in the benzyl group and a molecular-weight less than about 360. 7

1'7. An article of commerce prepared and packaged as a mothprooflng composition containing as an essential active ingredient a benzyl phenyl ether having three chlorine substituents in the benzyl group and a molecular weight less than about 315.

18. The method of protecting textiles and like goods from attack by clothes moths, carpet beetles and their allies which comprises impregnating the goods with a benzyl phenyl ether having three chlorine substituents in the benzyl group and a molecular weight less than about 315.

19. An article of commerce consisting in a drycleaning composition containing as an active mothprooflng ingredient a benzyl phenyl ether having at least two nuclear chlorine substituents in the benzyl group and a molecular weight less than about 360.

20. The method of protecting textiles and like goods from attack by clothes moths, carpet beetles and their allies which comprises impregnating the goods with a benzyl phenyl ether having at least two nuclear chlorine substituents in the benzyl group and a molecular weight less than about 360.

21. An article of commerce consisting in a drycleaning composition containing as an active mothprooiing ingredient a benzyl phenyl ether having at least two nuclear chlorine substituents in the benzyl group and a molecular weight less than 315.

22. The method of protecting textiles and like goods from attack by clothes moths, carpet beetles and their allies which comprises impregnating the goods with a benzyl phenyl ether having at least two nuclear chlorine substituents in the benzyl group and a molecular weight less than 315.

23. An article of commerce consisting in a drycleaning composition containing as an active mothprooilng ingredient a polychlorinated benzy1 phenyl ether having a molecular weight less than about 360 and having all the chlorine atoms.

present asnuclear substituents of the benzyl group.

24. The method 01' protecting textiles and like attains dry-cleaning composition containina as an active mothprooflng ingredient a polychlorinated benzyl v phenvl ether having a molecular weight lessthan 315 and having all the chlorine present as nuclear substituents in the benzyl group.

26. The method of protecting textiles. and like goods from attack by clothes moths, carpet beetles and their allies which comprises impregnating the goods with a polychlorinated benzyl phenyl -ether having a molecular weight less than 315 and having all the chlorine present as nuclear substituents in the benzyl group.

AVERY H. aonnm. I a NORMAN a. seam. 

